Acts 17:17

"So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him"Reasoned" "Paul was not. man to take. complete holiday from the main business of his life" (Bruce p. 349). The term reasoned means to "say thoroughly", and infers that Paul gave thorough arguments both for the gospel and against idolatry. Note Paul's reaction. He did not give up. "Though. lonely stranger, who might have been awed into silence by the magnificence with which sin had fortified itself in this great city, his soul was stirred to make. mighty struggle for the triumph of the gospel even here" (McGarvey p. 119). "Paul's reaction to the city's idolatry was not negative only (horror and dismay) but also positive and constructive. He did not merely throw up his hands in despair, or weep helplessly, or curse and swear at the Athenians" (Stott p. 280). Even though Paul had been treated terribly by the Jews in the last towns he had visited (Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13), he continues to preach to them first. Notice also that he "reasons" with them. He believed that the Scriptures were sufficiently clear that an honest man or woman could see that they had found their fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 17:2). "In the synagogue" An audience which included Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism. "And in the marketplace everyday with them that met him" What is known as the "marketplace" (agora) was been fully excavated and restored. "It was. large area, rectangular, with covered walks (porches) along the sides. Temples, public buildings, statues, fountains, and monuments filled the area. Each day, for several hours in the early forenoon, the place swarmed with people who came to buy and sell. The rest of the day, the philosophers and teachers would find. raised stone from which to teach, or they might be found walking along the porches with their pupils. Paul took his place daily in the market place, likely competing with other teachers" (Reese p. 622).

Paul's practice in Athens serves as. good example to Christians today. Paul simply used whatever avenue was open to him for spreading the gospel. If preaching to one group did not work, he would try another. Paul realized that the superstition and false religion in Athens was deeply entrenched, but he also understood the "power" of the message he was preaching (Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 10:4).